Lock and seal for trunks



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. N. TOWNE.

LOCK AND SEAL POR TRUNKS. No. 348,358. Patented Aug. 31, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. N. TOWNB.

LOCK AND SEAL POR TRUNKS.

No. 348,358. Patented Aug. 31, 1886.

Ihairnn Starts Partnr Ormes.

ALBAN N. TOVNE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

LOCK AND SEAL Foa TRUNKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,358, dated August @1, 1886 Application filed June 21, 1856.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBAN N TowNE, ot the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have :invented an Improvement. in Locks and Seals for Trunks; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a device for more perfectly securing trunks against the danger of breakage and liability to theft of contents; and -it consists of a metallic band or strap, to gether with a disk or casing, with sliding bars moving in opposite directions within it, and a rotary cap having a spiral thread, whereby these bars with which the opposite ends of the band are connected may be moved, so as to loosen or contract the band. y

Referring tothe aceompanyi n g drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the casi ng with the slides or bars in position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view et' the cap, showing the lower portion with the spiral thread thereon. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, showing the parts united. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the parts united. Fig. 5 shows the construction where the flat band is to be used. Fig. (i is a plan view showing the slides C divided longitudinally and having lugs or projections to keepthc parts from slipping. Fig. 7 is a modification to be referred to.

A is a casing, which I .have shown in the present ease in the form of a disk, having cy lindrical upturned sides or edges of shallow' depth, and a central spindle, B, extending upward, as shown. Vithin this casing are formed radial chan nels or guides,within which tension-slides C C are Iitted to move. The outer ends of these slides are formed with eyes or hooks, to which the opposite ends of the band or strap D may be attached. I prefer to have one end of the strap permanently attached to one of the slides C C', while the other may be provided with an eye with which the hook from the opposite slide may be engaged. The channels inwhieh the slides C C move are made a little wider than the body of the slide, and the openings through the rim of the disk A are just wide enough to allow the loody of the slides to move freely through them.

Serial No. 905.844. (No model.)

The inner ends ot the slides are made oi' sufli cient diameter to iil the channels, and they thus form a shoulder, as shown at a, which will prevent their being entirely withdrawn from the casing when the paris are secured together.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the slides C C made in two parts divided longitudinally, with lugs and depressions in the two parts iitting each other, so as to keep the two parts from slipping, and thus moving the transverse grooves out ol' line. The outer end of this two-part slide has a hole io connect with the wire or band, and it is opened or closed by separating or closing the two sides of the slide. To do this automatically, the inner ends are made flaring or divergiug, and when the slides are moved out as far as they will go, by turning the spiral these diverging ends will strike the edges of the shoulders a, and this will separate the outer ends suilicientlyto receive or release the strap or band. \Vhen the slides are drawn into the casing, they will be closed and retained so by the pressure of the shoulders a against their sides. Y

,Fl is a cap which lits the casing, forming a cover for it. This cap has a central hole or opening through which the pin l), projects, and this pin may be split or slotted from the upper end, so that it can be spread out after the parts are put together, thus holding them in place.

F is a square projection arising from the center ofthe cap Il, and made hollow, so that the bolt B extends up within it. The exterior ofthe projection F serves to receive a wrench by which the cap may be turned about on the pin or post B. The lower surface ot' this cap has a spiral thread, C, projecting a suilicient distance from it to engage with corresponding grooves or channels, II, which form the upper surfaces of the slides C C. It will be seen that when the cap lll has been placed upon the disk A, the pi n B passing through the central opening of the cap, and spread or otherwise secured, so that the cap can not come oft', the spiral flange G will lie within the trans verse grooves or channels in the slides C, and when this cap Il is turned around it will cause the slides to move either in or out within their guiding-channels.

In order to operate the device, the cap E will be turned until the slides have been moved outward to their full distance, or as far as desired. The strap D will then be passed around 5 the trunk, and the opposite end connected with the hook on the slide C', after which, by the use of the wrench, the cap E may be turned in the opposite direction,and the spiral thread traveling through the channels in the slides C 1o C will gradually draw them inward until the strap or band has been drawn as tight as may be desired, in which position it will remain locked until released bythe use of the wrench.-

In the present case I have shown the channels in which the slides move as being made one upon each side of the central spindle or pin, B, and parallel with each other, and in order to cause the draft to be as nearly central as possible the ends which are connected with 2o the strap are bent slightly to one side, so that they come very nearly or quite in line with the central spindle.

If the casing is made of considerable diameter it will be seen that the guides may stand in a line with the central spindle, and that four of these guides (see Fig. 7) may be ernployed standing at right angles, so that one strap may pass around the trunk in one direction and the other in a direction at right angles with it, the whole being tightened up by the single operation of turning the cap E, in which case the spiral thread operates simultaneously upon all the slides and draws them toward each other. Vhen the strap has been 3 5 drawn as tight as may be desired, the device may be sealed by filling the hollow portion of the projection F with sealing-wax or any other suitable material, which, flowing around the projecting ends of the spindle B, will ill the 4o space within the part F, and when :it is set it will be impossible to turn the cap and release the band without breaking the wax within the chamber.

It will be manifest that the upper portion of the device may form the casing and guides,

and the lower portion may have the spiral formed upon it, the spindle in this case passing up through the upper part and having its upper end formed to receive a wrench or other device by which to turn it. By forming lugs upon the casing, it may be secured to the trunk to prevent the loss of it or" the strap.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A stationary disk having radial guides or channels, and two or more slides extending radially from the center and having hooks or eyes formed on their outer ends, whereby they may be connected with a band or bands, in combination with a revolving disk having a spiral thread formed upon its surface which engages with corresponding grooves or channels made in the slides, so that by turning the disk the slides may be drawn inward totighten thel split and spread or separated, substantially as herein described.

3. The casing having radial guides and the slides fitted to move therein, in combination with the cap E, having on its lower surfacea spiral thread which engages the slides, as shown,said slides being dividedlongitudinally, having diverging inner ends and having holes in the outer ends, which are opened or closed by the movement of the slides between the shoulders of the guides, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBAN N. TOVN E.

Vitnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, H. C. LEE. 1 

